Background: Iran operates a fleet of approximately 300 small speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz for asymmetric warfare, hiding military assets among civilian traffic. A Financial Times report reveals that these fast attack boats, operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, are concealed in caves and tunnels along Iran's southern coast, enabling rapid deployment and swarm tactics to threaten global oil and gas flows and challenge US naval forces during heightened tensions.

The US federal government's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) cuts SNAP food benefits by $186bn over 10 years, threatening 665,000 recipients in California. The state is considering a one-time 5% tax on billionaires' assets to fill the gap, facing opposition from tech entrepreneurs like Sergey Brin. The measure is likely on the November ballot.

The expiration of enhanced premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to significant enrollment declines across U.S. health insurance marketplaces. Preliminary data shows total 2026 enrollment fell to about 23 million, a drop of over 1 million, with projections of up to a 25% decline. Major insurers like Cigna and Aetna are exiting the marketplace. State exchanges report sharp disenrollments, particularly in California and Idaho. Experts warn of a 'smaller and sicker' market but do not expect a collapse.

The article argues that the ongoing trade war initiated by former US President Donald Trump has inadvertently opened economic opportunities for China, allowing it to expand its influence and fill gaps left by US policies.

The Trump administration has proposed multiple contradictory policies on overdose prevention within weeks, including a new prohibition on funding for fentanyl test strips, proposed budget cuts that would gut overdose prevention efforts, and an ambitious drug control strategy that experts say would be impossible to implement if the cuts go through. These conflicting measures confuse experts and could strain health resources and increase overdose risk.

Background: Bosnian lawmakers passed legislation naming the newly formed US company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy as the investor for the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline, bypassing transparent procurement rules, prompting EU warnings about risks to Bosnia's EU accession and funding. Today's development: New reporting reveals that AAFS is led by Joseph Flynn (brother of Trump's former security advisor Michael Flynn) and deputy Jesse Binnall (a Trump lawyer who contested the 2020 election results), with Michael Flynn working for Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik, whose US sanctions were lifted in late 2025. Trump Jr. visited Banja Luka in April for an investor conference opened by Dodik's son. The pipeline route crosses disputed state property, raising constitutional concerns. High Representative Christian Schmidt has not intervened despite warnings, reportedly due to fear of US retaliation. Local politicians and EU officials are reluctant to oppose the US, with one source stating 'We will not oppose Washington under any circumstances.'

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has caused severe energy shortages in Bangladesh, a nation heavily dependent on imported fuel. Fuel supply disruptions have led to long queues at stations, power cuts in industrial zones, and a 30-40% drop in factory output. The crisis threatens Bangladesh's garment export sector, which earns $39 billion annually and employs 4 million workers. The Asian Development Bank cut growth forecasts for developing Asia to 4.7% for 2026, while the World Bank expects Bangladesh's growth to slow to 3.9%. The government has imposed austerity measures including fuel rationing, shutting fertilizer factories, and restricting mall hours. Business costs have risen 35-40%, and garment exports to Europe and the US have fallen 5-13%.

The shuttered U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has notified Congress that it holds $19 billion in remaining funds, primarily from terminated programs. Critics, including humanitarian experts and Democratic lawmakers, urge the administration to disburse the funds for urgent global health and humanitarian needs rather than using them for agency closeout costs. The notification details over $3.2 billion in unobligated fiscal 2025 funds for programs combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal/child health, which Democrats argue are being illegally impounded.

Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis have recommended that JP Morgan Chase shareholders vote to separate the roles of chairman and CEO, currently both held by Jamie Dimon. The shareholder resolution will be voted on at the annual meeting on May 19. The advisers argue that combining the roles creates conflicts of interest and hinders board oversight, while JP Morgan defends the structure, citing strong financial performance and the need for flexibility during succession planning. The dispute has drawn in the White House, with President Trump signing an executive order targeting proxy advisers.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has launched an AI initiative called SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories) to reduce flight delays and ease the burden on air traffic controllers. The project involves three technology firms—Thales, Air Space Intelligence, and Palantir—and aims to proactively manage airspace demand using airline scheduling data and weather forecasts, rather than replacing human controllers. The initiative comes amid broader efforts to modernize aging aviation infrastructure following a deadly crash near Reagan National Airport.

Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, wanted in Poland for alleged misuse of public funds and deployment of Pegasus spyware against political opponents, has reportedly fled to the United States using a visa from President Donald Trump. He had previously been granted asylum in Hungary by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, but new Hungarian leader Péter Magyar promised extradition. Poland's foreign ministry said it had no official information on his whereabouts and noted his passport had been revoked. This development escalates a cross-border legal and political dispute involving Poland, Hungary, and the United States.

At Sea Air Space 2026, BlackSea Technologies introduced two new unmanned surface vehicles: the Comet, a 13.1m USV with a 10,000 lb payload capacity, and the Chaser (GARC Block II), a smaller, container-deployable USV. The Comet was displayed in a C-UAS/anti-air warfare configuration with AIM-9X and Hellfire missiles mounted on Sierra Nevada's BRAWLR launcher, four Leonardo DRS RADA AESA radars, and EO/IR sensors. It has a 1,000 nautical mile endurance at 40 knots (Sea State 3, 3,000 lb payload) and a max speed of 45 knots, and is capable of C-UAS, ISR, escort, and mine countermeasures. The Chaser features enhanced weapons integration, reduced IR signature, and 600-800 nautical mile endurance at 20 knots, and is deployable from a 20ft shipping container. Both vessels are manufactured in Baltimore, Maryland, leveraging the company's existing production line that has delivered over 300 GARC Block 1 units.

Multiple US Cabinet secretaries in the Trump administration face potential departure due to political pressure or personal ambition, elevating their deputies to acting or permanent roles. Key figures include Todd Blanche (acting Attorney General), Keith Sonderling (Labor), Aaron Lukas (ODNI), James Danly (Energy), Paul Dabbar (Commerce), David Fotouhi (EPA), Kate MacGregor (Interior), Stephen Vaden (Agriculture), Nicholas Kent (Education), and Mehmet Oz or Chris Klomp (HHS). The article profiles each deputy's background and readiness to lead their respective agencies.

The short film 'Vitória Régia' (Amazon Water Lily) imagines a dystopian future where a far-right coup in Brazil succeeds, leading to military rule and US control over the Amazon rainforest. Directed by Denis Kamioka (Cisma) and starring Alice Braga, the film was made with Indigenous networks Coiab and Apib to highlight ongoing threats to Indigenous lands and democracy. It draws parallels to real events, including the 2022 coup attempt and Flávio Bolsonaro's alleged offer of rare-earth reserves to the US. The film was shot in March 2025, before Trump's abduction of Maduro, and its creators note the blurring of fiction and reality. Indigenous actor Ywyzar Tentehar and activist Pedro Inoue emphasize the ongoing invasions of Indigenous territories and the power of Indigenous resistance. The film serves as an alert about sovereignty, Indigenous resistance, and the fragility of democracy.